Posts Tagged ‘faith’

I’ve been trying to write a blog post for awhile…apparently a few months. From the last time I blogged time has flown. There’s been a wonderful community event called Chautauqua, the adoption of an 11 year old Domestic Shorthair cat called Buddy, the Ordination of our Deacon, a terrible tragedy that claimed the lives of three men, a Memorial Service for those men, and a surprise birthday party for my 50th.

Chautauqua took on a life of it’s own this year in a new format that had all events taking place in the historic downtown core. The Fall Fair took place the same weekend and the grounds at City Hall were filled with animals of all shapes and sizes, vendors showing their wares, artists and crafters showing their trades and a community out to enjoy a beautiful Autumn celebration. My little parish hosted the Community Ecumenical Service and it was an absolute success. Folks started coming in just before the official event time and kept coming in for the first 20 minutes. It was glorious. We finished the service in time to get to the Senior’s Centre that was hosting a High English Tea. A Harvest Supper at the Catholic Church rounded out a weekend filled with activity, history, wonder and joy.

Buddy is a cranky black cat, missing one canine tooth who was looking for a forever home. The other cats on the SPCA website were all cuddly and adorable. Buddy looked at the photographer like he could care less…or if he had pose-able digits would have raised his middle finger. He’s cranky, he hisses a lot, has a mean meow and reminds me of my late father. So of course, I was hooked. He doesn’t like being picked up…or touched…I am allowed to pet him within very strict parameters that I have not yet learned. He’s not particularly patient with me, hence the hissing. He likes to hide under the dining room table. He likes to be in the same room as me, but not too close. He’s afraid of the mop and the vacuum and doesn’t climb. So far so good…but I’m unsure of his assessment of me as his staff. After all, they say dogs have owners and cats have staff.

Ordination is one of the great celebrations of the Church. A faithful woman of God was Ordained in Christ’s Holy catholic Church and we gathered to celebrate. We sang her favourite hymns, surprised her with an Anthem. She was feted and celebrated and the parish commissioned a red Deacon’s stole for her which she helped to design. An absolutely gorgeous design featuring flames and doves in shades of red, blue and white. Absolutely spectacular for an absolutely spectacular child of God.

On the 17th of October my brother was returning to Calgary after visiting me overnight. I took him to see the Church and he signed the Guest Book. I went to a meeting at a Retirement home across the street from the local Arena. Little did I know that our community would be rocked to it’s very core that day. The winds were high and sky was a strange colour. The atmosphere around town was eerie. Hurricane force winds blew the power out twice and we were in the dark for a couple of hours the second time. I was checking my Facebook feed and saw that there had been an accident at the Arena and the surrounding neighbourhood had been evacuated…including the residents I had visited earlier that day. I went to the evacuation centre and tried to provide some comfort, some humour and a few hugs. Three men died that day. They went to work and didn’t come home. And even now, months later, there is still a void in the community. The residents returned home within a week, but there is still a sense of unease. However, this community did what it does best and came together in a show of support. We will always remember those who died, but too will we remember the community that showed support and love to one another. The road is long before us but we will get there…together.

A Community Memorial Service was held on the 12th of November on the grounds of the high school. It was damp, overcast, chilly day but there was an air of hope. The community choir sang, my United Church colleague and I offered prayer at the beginning and ending of the service. Three eulogies were shared, many tears were shed and a group of strangers gathered as family.

I don’t like surprise parties…especially when I’m the one being surprised…but that’s exactly what happened on the 25th of November, the day before my 50th birthday. My congregation decided that I needed to celebrate this milestone and so I was duped into leaving town for the day with a friend who needed to run errands and I was there to be company in the car, navigate and carry stuff. We got back at 5:30 and the street was lined with cars. I thought my Roman colleague was having a larger than average attendance at Mass. And then I saw a parishioners car parked where it usually isn’t. Then I looked at the lawn of the Rectory and saw 50 pink flamingos…and a sign notifying all and sundry that is was my 50th. I walked into the Church, down to the parish hall and opening the door heard “SURPRISE!” I was shaking and smiling and unable to remember my name at that point as I saw friends, neighbours, parishioners and colleagues gathered to celebrate a half-century. I was presented with a “birthday girl” pink sash, pink star sunglasses and a birthday tiara. Many of the guests wore pink. And everyone knew I was surprised… We feasted on potluck fare, a birthday cake that read “Happy Birthday Princess Flamingo” I took many photographs and opened many cards and gifts, one of the most special being a painting a parishioner and friend painted with birch trees and a winter sun…it is spectacular. There was a trivia game with 50 questions related to my life…and those assembling the game had help from my brother, my spiritual advisor and friend. It was great fun…and while I still don’t like surprises, it was a blessing to celebrate with so many wonderful people.

When the tragedy took place in October I realised just how much this community has become home for me…and how the folks that live here are my family. Seeing such a large collection of people at the birthday party reinforced this to me. I am loved very much here and I love this place very much.

If the rest of my 50th year is anywhere near as awesome as the first few weeks, I’m in for an absolutely AWESOME year!

Tomorrow is the 25th of January, Bell Canada’s “Let’s Talk” initiative to help quell the stigma of mental illness. Celebrities have recorded brief interviews and have stepped up in raising awareness of depression, anxiety, OCD, Bipolar disorder, etc.

As someone who struggles with depression and anxiety the past couple of months have been scary. I am a Canadian, and proud to be one. Our neighbours to the south elected a new President and it seems the world has been in a tailspin since. Every day the rhetoric increases, the attacks get more personal and social media is reaching a frenzy status on who is right and who is wrong.

What scares me is the increasing vitriolic hatred that both sides of the debate engage. There is hurt and anger and a decided lack of respect. There seems to be no acknowledgment of the other side as a human being. Memes spring up everywhere and there are veritable twitter wars and Facebook battles over who is right and who is wrong. Over who is telling the truth and who is lying.

We seem to have lost the respect of basic human dignity. Regardless of whether you are a supporter or protester of POTUS, we need to come together in unity. He needs to be held accountable. We need to ensure our voices are raised in unison. Can we please, please stop with the division and hatred.

I don’t like being told that as I woman “I must” feel a certain way or behave in a certain manner. I don’t appreciate being told as a Christian “I must” say certain things and if I fail to do so I am a disgrace to Christianity.

I am a child of God. So are you. So is POTUS. So is our Prime Minister. So is everyone we meet.

I’m tired of the anger. I’m tired of the hurt. I’m tired of the hatred. I want to join the revolution of love. I want to change the world with respect; with words of empowerment and love. I can and will change how I view the world by looking through lenses of love and respect.

I short, I refuse to hate.

My mental health is always fragile in January…I’m not really sure why…but it is and I tend to cocoon more than usual, trying to stay warm and safe.

I am blessed in being surrounded by people who love me. Who hold me when I cry, who bolster me when I struggle. Who check in because I am on their mind and in their heart. I am blessed to love many of those who surround me. And lately, I’ve begun to fall in love with myself.

I know I am not perfect. I never will be. And that’s okay. In God’s eyes I am created in perfection and that’s more than good enough for me.

There is a South African word, Ubuntu, that means “I am because you are”. In other words, I can’t be who I am without you. It doesn’t mean that everyone has to agree and think the same. It means we have the right and even the responsibility to disagree and hold one another accountable for our words and actions. It means we are all in this life together. It’s a way of living, an understanding, that is both powerful and profound.

If we embrace Ubuntu, perhaps we, together, can change this cruel world in which we live?

I got back yesterday after two glorious weeks away. I went to the tip of the Bruce Peninsula, a small town called Tobermory. While I was there I visited places I had visited before, as a student 10 years ago. I hiked trails, walked through town, ate in local eateries, cooked meals at the cottage where I stayed.

The first Sunday I was there I preached and celebrated at St. Edmund’s in Tobermory and then later that night I preached at St. Margaret’s at Cape Chin. It was a remarkable experience and I enjoyed it immensely. I walked to the lighthouse from the cottage. It was an hour’s walk. I hiked part of the Bruce Trail and part of the Lindsay Tract Trail. Both challenging in their own way.

Two weeks away was just enough time to disengage from the frantic pace of parish life. And driving home my phone started ringing. Thankfully I have Bluetooth technology so was able to screen and answer calls hands-free. And by the time I drove the four hours home, I felt immersed in Church life once again.

While I was away Canada elected a new Prime Minister. The Blue Jays won their division. The winds shifted and the temperatures were very mild. Every day I walked in awe at the majesty of creation. Truly God was with me, with every step I took, every place I stopped, every crisp breath I inhaled. And it was good.

Tomorrow’s gospel is blind Bart. He doesn’t ask Jesus to heal him, but to have mercy on him. There is a lot to reflect on in that passage. So much about our blindness. About our faith, or lack thereof.

This week I’m heading to Walpole Island for an annual service of healing. I’m looking forward to it.

Next week is our Annual All Soul’s Service. A moving and emotional service, but also something I look forward to.

I’ve been remiss in writing lately as life has been crazy. My plan is to journal more frequently, with more observations of a crazy and awesome world.